Warren Whiteley back to lead Lions

The Lions have been boosted by the return of captain Warren Whiteley for their Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.

Whiteley is back from injury and joins Cyle Brink and Kwagga Smith in a strong back-row, with Stephan Lewis and Marvin Orie the lock duo.

Elsewhere in the pack there is a start at hooker for Robbie Coetzee as Malcolm Marx is on bench duty after his busy start to 2019’s campaign.

Elton Jantjies is also among the replacements as Gianni Lombard is named at 10 while Sylvian Mahuza takes over at 15 from Andries Coetzee.

Lions: 15 Sylvian Mahuza, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Franco Naude, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Sti Sithole
Replaecments: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Frans Van Wyk, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Andries Coetzee

Date: Friday, April 19
Venue: FMG Stadium
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: TBC